What to know about breast reduction in Korea

Having the ideal breast shape and size that is proportionate to your body frame is more important that you think it is. Having large breasts that doesn’t suit your figure actually strains your body and poses health risks.

Imagine having to carry a heavy weight on your chest all the time. Excessively large breasts not only causes you to suffer from health problems such as backaches, shoulder and neck pains, but also pose a hindrance when you are exercising.

Not to mention they limit your clothing options and make it difficult for you to find the right fit for your bras. In the long run, your posture is affected and you suffer from chronic body aches as well as fatigue.

So if you have excessively large breasts, breast reduction surgery is the best option for you. Read along to find out more about reduction mammaplasty.

What is a breast reduction surgery?

It’s not always “the bigger, the better”. Disproportionately large breasts can cause both physical and emotional distress actually. Along with the heavy weight of your breasts, you would experience physical discomforts, body aches as well as suffer from psychological and emotional distress.

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure used to remove excess fat, tissue and skin from the breasts. It not only allows you to achieve a breast size which is proportionate to your body frame, but also addresses the physical and emotional discomforts associated with macromastia (the condition of having abnormally large breasts).

In fact, when you suffer from having huge breasts, chances that your breasts are sagging is very high. So by getting breast reduction surgery, it is also sort of a breast lift surgery, and can help lift your sagging breasts at the same time.

Most women might seek breast reduction surgery to address their existing medical conditions but it could also actually help improve their self-image, as well as their ability to participate in physical activities which were previously restricted due to the burden of their breasts.

What is the optimal size for my breasts?

Of course, every women’s optimal ratio for breasts differs slightly because your breast size should also be balanced with your body frame. But in case you are wondering which is the best breast size for your body, here’s the optimal ratio for your comparison.

Optimal ratio for breasts:

• The distance from the middle of your collarbone to your teat is approximately 18cm.
• Diameter of areola is approximately 3.4~3.5cm.
• Distance between teats should be approximately 19~20cm.
• Distance from your nipple to the bottom of your breasts is approximately 5~6cm.
• The line that connects the middle of your collarbone and nipples should be an equilateral triangle.

Do I need a breast reduction surgery?

If you have excessively large breasts and is experiencing physical and psychological problems due to the large breasts, breast reduction surgery is for you. This procedure is meant for women who have overly large breasts and are suffering from issues such as:

That said, you might wish to consider postponing breast reduction surgery if you have certain future plans, such as:

• Childbirth – Breastfeeding could get challenging after breast reduction surgery, although due to the advancement of medical technology, breast surgery can hardly affect your ability to breast-feed, but there is always some risks involved.
• Weight loss – Losing weight can often result in changes to your breast size. Maybe you will be satisfied with your breast size after your weight loss?

Types of breast reduction techniques and incisions

1. Areola incision (Donut incision)

For those who only want to slightly decrease their breast size.

The incision is done around your areola and it reduces the skin and tissues around your areola.

2. Vertical incision (Lollipop incision)

For those who need a moderate decrease in their breast size. Especially if you have large and sagging breasts.

Incision around your areola and an additional vertical incision towards the bottom of your breasts. Effective for those who need to remove a moderate amount of skin and breast tissues.

3. Inverted-T incision (Anchor incision)

For those who need a significant reduction in their breast size. Especially for those who have considerably big and sagging breasts, and asymmetrical breasts.

Incision around your areola, an additional vertical incision towards the bottom of your breasts, and another additional incision at your breast bottom crease. Effective for those who need to remove a large amount of skin and breast tissues.

4. Liposuction for breasts

Liposuction might be good for those who just needs to remove breast fats instead of breast tissues. But it is mostly suitable for those with good skin elasticity because it could result in flatten or sagging breast skin instead if your skin elasticity is poor.

How long does results of a breast reduction surgery last?

You breast size is permanently reduced once a reduction surgery is done. But of course, if you start to gain weight, your breast size will go up. But not forgetting, when a breast reduction surgery is performed, you get kind of get a breast lift as well.

Though other factors such as skin elasticity and aging, will determine when your breasts will start to sag again. Hence, we recommend you to factor in these conditions as well when you are deciding your new breast size.

How long does breast reduction surgery take?

Breast lift surgery in Korea usually lasts 2~3 hours and is performed under general anesthesia so you will not feel any pain.

When can I see results from breast reduction surgery?

Instantaneous results, though a little swelling might last up to 1 week. In the meantime, do wear a special breast garment for at least 1 month. This is to help maintain the shape of your new breasts and keep your augmented breast tissues stay in place.

Actual recovery time vary among individuals, and is subjected to one’s health condition & healing response.

How long should I stay in Korea?

Breast reduction surgery in Korea is considered an extensive surgery though hospitalization is not required. But do stay until your stitches are removed. And maybe go shopping in the meantime!

Stitch removal

Stitches are usually removed 7~10 days after surgery.

Cautions on stitch removal

If you remove the stitches earlier then advised, your wound might reopen, causing an infection. And if you remove it too late, you risk further scarring and pigmentation.

Sometimes due to time constraints, you might consider having your stitches removed at the local hospitals in your home country. Although that is possible (but not recommended), it depends on how well you have been healing and is also subjected to doctor’s approval.

What other surgery complements breast reduction surgery?

1. Nipple reduction surgery

If your nipples are too big or too elongated for your new breast size, you might want to consider nipple reduction surgery alongside your breast reduction surgery.

2. Areola reduction surgery

Large breasts usually have large areolas. So when you size down your breast size, you would also want to size down your areola to an appropriate size with areola reduction surgery.

3. Inverted nipple correction surgery

Having inverted nipples not only makes your breasts look less attractive, but can also cause functionality and hygiene problems. If you are suffering from inverted nipples, fix it with inverted nipple correction surgery.

Conclusion

While many women get breast reduction surgery for medical reasons, a successful breast reduction surgery gives you so much more, if you think about it. For one, it relieves the pains that you have been suffering in areas such as your upper back, neck and shoulders. Secondly, it improves your posture and allows you to participate in physical activities which your breasts have “restricted” you from previously.

And on top of that, having the ideal breast size will also portray a more youthful image and promote a more positive self-image as well. Not forgetting that it comes with a slight breast lift as well.

Results are generally permanent — although breast shape and size can change again due to factors such as aging and weight gain or loss. And results can be seen immediately but can take months for swelling to completely go down and years for scars to completely fade.

That said, there are more pros than cons actually, if you think about it. And we are pretty sure that it’s gonna be worth your while.